Whats the recipe for a 0-3 comeback in the Playoffs?

[Mr Puddles]

Step 1: lose first 3 games
Step 2: win next 4 games



It's just a pattern that is incredibly unlikely.

Let me check the math on this.

7 - 4 = 3

Carry the 1,

4 games in a row is 4.

Yup, math checks out.

[nbafan38]

Team down 3-0 having a significant superstar coming back from injury or even ore likely team up 3-0 losing a superstar to injury. Other than that its very hard to see.

[baldur]

So many injuries. Otherwise, impossible statistically based on the past, but technically still probable in the future.

[Dick Tate]

One game at a time.

[pwayknicks]

Both the cavs and Boston fit the recipe for the type of team that COULD do it. Better team on paper, lost the first games at home and due to clearly letting the pedal off the medal or injuries or a combination. If Boston or the Cavs are down 3-0, the hardest game to win would be game 4 as that Is the road game. Win that, go back home where you are a large favorite and win that. Pressure is than squarely on the the team who had the 3-0 lead to essentially win the biggest game of the series, which would be game 6 on their teams home floor. You don’t want to of lost 3 straight games, headed to a game 7, in the other teams building. To be honest, as a bit of a gambler I’d throw a bit on both the Cavs and the Celtics to pull it off if they manage to fall down 3-0.


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[Cavsfansince84]

The key thing I think short of injuries to the team up 3-0 would be a coaching staff that makes some kind of key adjustments after going down 3-0 and then the other team not finding another adjustment that keeps them from winning 4 in a row. The team coming back probably would also need a superstar who had a few off games then goes into the zone for the last 4.

[durden_tyler]

Celtics had the best chance last 2023

Trailing 3-0, they just need to win one on the road to stay alive in the series. They did and back to home for Game 5. Won that and just win one game on the road and G7 is forced.

If it was the flipside (no initial HC advantage and down 0-3), G4 would be at home and a G5 and G7 closeout games for the team ahead. Obviously #1 vs #8 for Boston then too so they had the talent advantage then.

[Thaddy]

You don't have Jordan level player for first 3 games. Jordan mentality kicks in. Win 4 straight.

[Handlez]

Get Draymond suspended.

Give Curry 3 fouls in the first half of 4 games.

Usually does the trick.

[NyKnicks1714]

It won't necessarily require a major injury or something else unexpected. There have been several 1-3 comebacks. Once you get to Game 5, it really doesn't matter all too much if you were down 1-2 and lost game 4 or you were down 3-0 and won game 4.

[CobraCommander]

What???

At the very least, you'd need to acknowledge OG, Mitch, and McBride. OG and Mitch have an injury history but they are definitely not soft.

So, let me get this straight, the guy that was +19 in a 1 point game against the defending champs and the guy that has a thread dedicated to him for his defensive tenacity in the playoffs... are soft... because gifs. Ohhhh Kayyyyyy.

I’m not saying soft like he weak - I’m saying let’s see how he plays when the pressure is on and they need a shot-

I trust Hart and Brunson but no one else on Knicks - especially not towns…

[jkvonny]

I think it'll happen some day. Maybe with the next 5-10 seasons.

Issue is that the chances are rare. Only 3 teams have forced a game 7 after being down 0-3 (1993 Nuggets force a Game 5 in 5 game series vs Jazz in 2nd round , back then the first 2 rounds were 5 game series). So we need to have that opportunity.

2023 Celtics had a great chance (Only team with Game 7 HCA). But, were blown out. ECF. Lost to the Heat

2003 TBlazers had a great chance as well. 1st Round Led Game 7 late in the game on the road against the Mavs. Nut the Mavs rallied at the end.
The 2003 Blazers nearly did it vs the Mavs in the first round. Led Game 7 late in the game. Mavs rallied at the end.
(Portland went on a 21–0 run in the third quarter of game four to avoid a 4–0 sweep by Dallas. Portland led game seven 90–88 with 4:43 left and tied the score 93–93 with 4:28 left, but Dallas dominated in the final minutes to win by 12 points.)

1951 NY Knicks also had a very good chance, led late in the game on the rod in Game 7, but the Rochester Royals (now Sacramento Kings) rallied at the end and won by 4 points. NBA Finals.

So, ya, you need the opportunity, momentum, luck with health *either injuries or players returning from injuries, expererienced veteran teams (like those 2003 Blazers/2023 Celtics teams) , etc . Also HCA helps (like the 2023 Celtics did, underachieved in first few games.

Heres the 2003 Blazers/Mavs game BTW.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

[dautjazz]

I think the best player on the team up 3-0 definitely has to get hurt.

That or perhaps the return of an MVP level superstar. It is pretty wild though that this circumstance still has never happened.

Edit: somebody beat me to my answer lol

[tamaraw08]

Hit your shots and play great defense.

Thanks Coach you figured it out.

I forgot to add dominate the rebounds and limit turnovers and last but not the least, outscore opponents.

[Lalouie]

if you have hc you have a chance because win the 4th and the next game is @home and the lesser team gets nervous for game6

if you don't, forget it you're toast

[jkvonny]

if you have hc you have a chance because win the 4th and the next game is @home and the lesser team gets nervous for game6

if you don't, forget it you're toast

The Celtics had that chance but ran out of gas in Game 7 vs the Heat. Got blown out.

The only team with HCA to force game 7 after 0-3 deficits.

The others were road teams, they did way better and nearly won game 7, led late in their games.
2003 Portland. The Mavs rallied back to win

1951 NBA Finals. NY Knicks. The Rochester Royals (now Sacramento Kings) rallied back to win. Squeezed out a 4 point win.

[GregOden]

I would've thought Boston would have pulled this off in 2023 at home but they ran outta gas.

[jkvonny]

I would've thought Boston would have pulled this off in 2023 at home but they ran outta gas.

2003 Blazers came close too. Led late in game 7.
They were more veteran and experienced than the Mavs.